Longing slow Tuscany: destination Camaiore

5 tips for a mini-holiday in authentic Tuscany, among tastings and pilgrimages

Let’s go for an eco-friendly weekend in Tuscany. Possibly by train, even better if by electric car or bicycle. Staying on a deluxe farm in the hills, with pool and local specialty: here is our offer for an unforgettable weekend, discovering a less touristy, simply authentic and slow, corner of Tuscany.

1. Sleep on a deluxe organic farm

Relaxing moments in the hills of Camaiore, in the heart of Tuscany: Villa Gaia is a beautiful farmhouse, consisting of two completely renovated houses in 2011, in full respect for the environment, also in decor and furnishings, equipped with all comforts, immersed in a centuries-old olivegrove. The rooms have an amazing view of the hills and offer an elegant and refined decor. In the beautiful garden, surrounded by cultivate fields, a beautiful swimming pool with salt water free of chlorine, with hydromassage.

2. Walking one of the most beautiful stretches of Via Francigena: Pietrasanta Camaiore Lucca

Photo by Kyle Taylor via Flickr

The Via Francigena is the pilgrimage par excellence of Italy: a journey through the peninsula to Rome, passing through the Tuscan nature and villages. Stage 26 is quite challenging, but wonderful: we start from Pietrasanta, where we can see the Duomo, then continue on a hilltop between the Lucca hills. So we reach Camaiore, where many ancient places of hospitality for pilgrims are found, such as the monumental complex of Badia. We leave Camaiore and climb to Monte Magno, among beautiful landscapes. At Piazzano we descend to the valley between vineyards and olivegroves, and crossing the Serchio to Ponte San Pietro, we reach Lucca, whose historic center is announced from the view of the mighty walls that surround it. 32 kilometers to breathe the whole atmosphere of this part of the region.

3. A dive into the crystalline sea

Photo by Michael Bertulat via Flickr

Even in 2017, Tuscany is full of Blue Flags, a recognition by Fee for the cleanest beaches. Among the various destination there’s Lido di Camaiore, with its 4 km of golden sand beach, washed by the Ligurian Sea, with the Apuan Alps in the background.

4. Savor local specialties

via http://www.prodottitipicitoscani.it

Like the rest of Tuscany, Versilia and its hinterland offer amazing flavors and traditionalrecipes. In Camaiore we can enjoy a simple but really tasty rustic dish: the scarpaccia, a salty pie prepared with zucchini and pumpkin flowers. The most characteristic dish is, however, what once was prepared by the peasants on big occasions, the Camoranesetordelli, pasta with pork, local mortadella and nutmeg, seasoned with ragu.